And now, the end is… here.
5 comments May 23rd, 2011
Fulham 2 – 2 Arsenal (Sidwell 26, Van Persie 29, Zamora 56, Walcott 89)
Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
Thank God that’s over…
Rarely has the end of a season been greeted with so much relief. As our campaign petered out, my level of enthusiasm wavered between disinterest and unadulterated disdain. The fans, players, and manager all need to step back and take a long hard look at each other and themselves. The next few weeks should be regarded as something of a cooling off period. Frankly, I’m glad.
The game itself…
…was typical of our recent form. Defensive errors were rightfully punished, and we were bailed out in large part due to the extraordinary form of Robin van Persie. City’s victory meant third place was never in our hands, but it’s fitting that we ended the season by failing to win.
RVP has, minute-for-minute, been the league’s best player this season…
His numbers are quite extraordinary. His goal at Fulham was his ninth in consecutive away matches, and his 18th in 17 games since January 1st. At Craven Cottage he played in a 4-4-2 with Marouane Chamakh – the first time we’ve seen that formation in the league in almost two years. Perhaps Arsene is already thinking about a change of system ahead of next season.
Jack Wilshere has shown his maturity…
…all season long, but never more so than in informing Stuart Pearce of his desire to miss the U-21 European Championships. It is absolutely the right decision, and will allow him the rest he badly needs ahead of next season, when the weight of responsibility on his young shoulders will be even greater. Jack has, however, been named in the senior squad, whilst Gibbs and Lansbury will both travel with the U-21s.
Bendtner and Denilson won’t be the only departures this summer…
Both players have voiced their unhappiness, one via The Sun and one via his father, and seem likely to be on their way when the window blows open. If they do go, there are two guarantees I can make: one is that they won’t move to a club as good as ours, and the other is that they won’t be the only ones. It’s remarkable how many players are available for transfer this summer, and Arsene must realise he’s in for his busiest ‘break’ in a while.
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